Is traditional marriage legal in Uganda?

The law of the Republic of Uganda provides for a customary marriage between parties to be registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). However, if a couple doesn’t register it, their union remains legally binding and acceptable.A certificate of customary marriage will be issued on payment of a fee.

Is traditional marriage a legal marriage?

Marriage has been defined as a voluntary union between a man and a woman or women (in the case of customary marriage) for life to the exclusion of any other. Â In other words, it is a legal union which exists between a man and a wife(s). Â The practice is acceptable world over and it is usually legally recognized.

What is a legal marriage in Uganda?

Marriage is the voluntary union for life of a man and a woman to the exclusion of others. The constitution of Uganda provides that men and women of the age of 18 years and above have a right to marry and form a family and are entitled to equal rights before, during and after the marriage has been dissolved.

How do I register a traditional marriage in Uganda?

Filing Customary Marriage Returns

1. Cover letter from the sub -county chief of the sub county where the marriage took place.
2. A duly filled Form B (marriage certificate in the Format prescribed by law) signed and stamped by the sub county chief/ or certified copy of the same.
3. Evidence of payments made in the bank.

What are the types of marriage in Uganda?

CIVIL REGISTRATION

• Legal marriages in Uganda.
• NB A customary marriage can only be converted into a Church or Civil marriage if the customary marriage is still monogamous and. the parties are the same.
• NB Persons with subsisting Moslem marriages can neither contract valid Church nor Civil Marriages.

What is the difference between customary marriage and traditional marriage?

Unlike civil marriages, customary unions occur gradually and are not concluded by single event such as a ceremonial signing of an official document. Thus, a marriage in terms of customary law is a familial matter which does not require the approval of an officiator in order to be regarded as valid.

How can I register my traditional marriage?

To register a customary marriage, a couple must go to an office of the Department of Home Affairs. At least one witness for each of the partners, or a representative from each of the families must also be present.

What is traditional marriage?

the primary established form of marriage recognized in a given country or religious or social group at a given time: In that culture, traditional marriage requires the families of the future bride and groom to engage in ritual visits and exchange gifts.

Can a man marry two wives legally in Uganda?

Polygamy is legal in Uganda, where a man is allowed to marry multiple wives at a time. Due to this, most families tend to contain an abundance of children. According to the 2014 Census of Uganda, around 8.3 percent of all women aged 18 years or more, were currently married or cohabiting in a polygamous relationship.

What is customary law marriage?

Customary marriages are recognised as valid marriages in terms of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 (“the Act”).This means that the marriage must be entered into in line with the traditions and customs of the parties. The parties who are getting married must be 18 years or older.

How do I know if my marriage is legal?

When Does a Marriage Become Legal?

1. The marriage license must be signed by the couple, one or more witnesses, and the officiant conducting the ceremony.
2. The officiant must take the signed marriage license to the appropriate court office to have it filed.
3. Once the license has been filed, the marriage is officially legal.

How long does it take to register a customary marriage?

within three months
Registering customary marriages
Customary marriages must be registered within three months of taking place. This can be done at any office of the Department of Home Affairs or through a designated traditional leader in areas where there are no Home Affairs offices.

Is marriage a tradition?

Marriage ceremonies include symbolic rites, often sanctified by a religious order, which are thought to confer good fortune on the couple.These traditions are, to a certain extent, shaped by the religious beliefs and practices found in societies throughout the world.

How do I dissolve a customary marriage in Uganda?

If a woman under a customary marriage wants divorce, she will need to pay back the dowry (11). While both men and women can apply for divorce, women may apply for divorce only if the husband is adulterous and abandons her for more than two years or commits other specified acts.

What happens if a customary marriage is not registered?

The short answer is NO: Failure to register a customary marriage does not affect the validity of that marriage. The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 (the Act) sets out the requirements for a valid customary marriage concluded before or after 15 November 2000, when the act commenced.

Does a customary marriage need to be registered?

‘(1) The spouses of a customary marriage have a duty to ensure that their marriage is registered.(6) If a registering officer is not satisfied that a valid customary marriage was entered into by the spouses, he or she must refuse to register the marriage.

Is traditional marriage in community of property?

A customary marriage is deemed to be in community of property unless an antenuptial agreement is entered into before the marriage. According to the MPA, parties who wish to get married out of community of property must enter into an antenuptial contract prior to the civil marriage ceremony being concluded.

What are the 4 types of marriage?

• Types of marriages.
• Cohabitation.
• Concubinage.
• Common-law marriage.
• Civil union.
• Domestic partnership.

What are the 3 types of marriage?

These include the statutory marriage; customary marriage; church marriage; and Islamic marriage. However, it is a common practice in Nigeria that a single couple may conduct at least 3 types of marriage together.

What is the purpose of a traditional marriage?

1. a marriage according to the historical norms of a given society, usually for the primary purpose of establishing a family. Although prenuptial customs vary in different cultures, a traditional marriage generally follows a period of courtship, public announcement of wedding plans, and a wedding ceremony.

What is the advantage of traditional marriage?

Marriage benefits society generally because it is associated with stable families. Stable families produce happier children and a more stable society with less crime and fewer social problems. Finances. There are often financial benefits associated with marriage.